COL FB: Alabama 37, Texas 21

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A brutal tackle and an interception return by Marcell Dareus Thursday sparked Alabama to its 13th national title in a 37-21 win over Texas.

The Crimson Tide brought an unfulfilling end to the college football season by winning a game against a team forced to compete without its No. 1 offensive threat. On the second Texas series of the game, Dareus hit Colt McCoy on his right shoulder, ending the college career of the player with the most wins of any starting quarterback in NCAA history.

McCoy suffered a shoulder sprain and the Longhorns had to play the rest of the night with freshman Garrett Gilbert at quarterback. Although Gilbert threw two touchdown passes to Jordan Shipley in the second half to create the possibility of an amazing comeback, he also threw four interceptions and coughed up a fumble -- mistakes that directly led to 20 Alabama points.

Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram scored twice on short runs for the Crimson Tide -- his first touchdown giving Alabama a 7-6 lead and his second one clinching the victory after Gilbert had thrown his second interception of the game. That interception came after Gilbert had brought the Longhorns within three points with 6:15 to play in the fourth quarter.

In addition to knocking McCoy out of the game, Dareus provided a vital boost for the Crimson Tide when he intercepted a Gilbert pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown with 15 seconds left in the first half. That gave Alabama a 24-6 lead at the intermission.

Ingram gained 116 yards on 22 carries. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy threw the ball only 11 times.

Gilbert was 15-of-40 for 186 yards.

Alabama, ranked No. 1 at the end of the regular season, finished 13-0. The second-ranked Longhorns wound up 12-1.